What does it mean to be UNCOMMON? By definition, it means to be rare, above the ordinary, exceptional, remarkable…unusual.

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (NIV)

The King James translates this verse slightly differently. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a peculiar people…” (KJV)

We all want to be chosen, royal, holy… but peculiar? Maybe not our go-to… that is until we really understand what it means.

The Greek word translated “peculiar” in the King James Bible is peripoiēsis (pare-ee-poi-ay’-sis) and most modern translations render it as “special” in this verse.

In the Old Testament, peculiar is used in the sense of a special or particular treasure. The Lord tells us in Exodus that “If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people” (Exodus 19:5).

It’s not pointing us to a weird or awkward way of life. Instead, it is pointing to our legacy. We are unusual, peculiar, UNCOMMON, because of Whose we are.

While it is true that as believers we are different, it is our standing as the adopted children of God, as joint heirs with Jesus, God’s own special people that make us peculiar or UNCOMMON.

1 Peter 1:13 – 2:10 is a call to holy living, with emphasis on their life together as people of God. Using all kinds of images from the Old Testament, Peter reassures them that they are God’s people, whose lives together are to give evidence that they are God’s children and thus declare God’s praises.

So as we gather in Orlando this January, we come as Uncommon people, who are loved by an UNCOMMON God! Get ready to be UNCOMMON!

– The CPC Team